Red Sox Eye Position Players: Free Agent and Trade Options

The Boston Red Sox have already made their first big splash of the offseason by locking up Sonny Gray for their rotation. Now, the focus shifts squarely to the lineup.

This piece digs into Boston’s pursuit of a premier middle-of-the-order bat. It also looks at how a savvy secondary addition like Jorge Polanco could round out the roster, and why the club’s mix of payroll flexibility and infield uncertainty makes for one of baseball’s more intriguing winter storylines.

Red Sox Pivot From Pitching to Power After Sonny Gray Deal

With Gray in the fold to stabilize the front of the rotation, the Red Sox can now devote their resources and attention to run production. The front office has clearly identified the need for a true impact bat—someone who can transform the middle of the order and force opposing managers to rethink their bullpen plans against Boston.

This offseason, the Red Sox are operating from a position of relative financial strength, but they’re showing some restraint. They’re willing to spend, but they want to do it surgically, not recklessly.

Top Free Agent Targets: Alonso, Realmuto, Okamoto, Bregman, Schwarber

The list of names on Boston’s radar reads like an All-Star ballot. The club has been connected to several high-profile free agents who would immediately reshape the lineup.

Among the most significant targets:

One Big Bat, One Smart Complement: Boston’s Roster-Building Blueprint

There’s a chance the Red Sox grab more than one of these marquee hitters, but the more likely path is a balanced approach: one headline-grabbing acquisition paired with a more modest, but still impactful, addition.

That second move is where roster architecture and budget discipline intersect. The model for that complementary piece: Jorge Polanco.

Why Jorge Polanco Fits the Red Sox’ Needs

Polanco is the type of player contenders covet—a switch-hitter with everyday ability and positional versatility, available at a shorter term and more manageable cost. At 32, he’s in the latter half of his prime, but he can still provide solid offensive production and reliable infield defense.

The appeal for Boston lies in his flexibility:

In an era where positional fluidity really matters, Polanco can be the glue guy who lets the Red Sox adapt as prospects arrive and veterans shift roles. His contract profile also fits a front office that wants an everyday-caliber player without committing superstar dollars or years.

A Fluid Infield Picture Built Around Youth and Uncertainty

Boston’s infield situation is equal parts promise and question mark. The organization is banking on a wave of young talent, but development paths are rarely linear, and that makes flexibility critical.

At the center of the long-term plan is Marcelo Mayer, a blue-chip prospect who projects as a core piece but hasn’t proven himself at the major league level yet.

Trevor Story, Triston Casas, and the Prospect Logjam

Trevor Story looks earmarked for shortstop in 2026, signaling the club’s belief that he can still anchor the position defensively as the roster matures. That decision shapes how Mayer and other young infielders might be deployed—whether at second, third, or in a utility capacity.

At first base, Triston Casas remains a pivotal figure. His offensive ceiling is significant, but there’s a real possibility he ends up on the trade block. If Boston moves Casas in a deal for pitching or another star, the need for a versatile infielder who can cover first base becomes even more urgent.

Beyond the headliners, a cluster of players could compete for roles:

For this group, a player like Polanco doesn’t block opportunity; he buys time and stabilizes the daily lineup while the club evaluates which prospects can stick.

Financial Flexibility Meets Luxury Tax Reality

The Red Sox have the financial capacity to make multiple significant moves, but internal guidance points toward a measured approach. They want to commit to one major contract and pair it with a shorter, cost-effective deal rather than stacking long, high-AAV pacts.

This strategy preserves room under the luxury tax thresholds and prevents future payroll gridlock, especially as homegrown talent approaches arbitration and free agency. By front-loading impact with a star bat and adding a mid-tier regular like Polanco, Boston keeps its competitive window open without overextending.

How Sonny Gray’s Arrival Shapes the Offseason Plan

Gray’s early signing isn’t just a rotation upgrade. It shifts the entire approach to the winter.

With a dependable veteran already at the top of the staff, the front office doesn’t have to scramble for pitching late in the market.

Now the Red Sox get to work with offensive flexibility. They can target the best available bat and then look for a versatile piece who fits both the new star and the young core.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Latest On The Red Sox Search For Position Players